Success Stories

Nathan Jones - Police Cadet

Officer in Training

Nathan Jones is in the Cadet training program with the Hampton Police Division, which means he’s already getting a taste of police work while completing his studies at Thomas Nelson Community College. As a Cadet, Nathan performs many tasks that do not require an officer, such as working at crime scenes, interviewing witnesses, and preparing reports. Now he’s even more certain of his career choice. “By my sophomore year, I had decided I didn’t want a job that would put me behind a desk all the time. But my Criminal Justice classes at New Horizons are what really got me into it. They taught us how to do accident reports … how to handle domestic reports … so I already knew more than a lot of other cadets.”

Brandon Osterbind - Law Student, Liberty University School of Law

See You in Court

Legal jargon can sometimes be bewildering to those of us who aren’t attorneys. But thanks to his high school studies, Brandon Osterbind says “I already knew the terminology before coming to law school. I took Legal Systems Administration in my senior year.... We learned about everything that happens in a law firm. That course got me a job that I still have when I go home [as a law intern at Daniels and Morgan in Chester]. I do things like research, writing, correspondence, dealing with clients, and file management. I’ve had the benefit of knowing what all of that is, so it’s made it a little easier for me in law school.”

Karina DeAlva - Paralegal Studies

A Case for CTE

Karina DeAlva wanted a career where she could make a difference. So as a 10th-grader, she took an introductory law class that provided an overview of the field. By 12th grade, she had witnessed the system in action firsthand as an intern.

“I worked at the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court Clerk’s office,” Karina explains. “I was actually able to get to know judges themselves...learned to look up files, became aware of their systems, and learned how to prepare certain documents for the Clerk’s use in court.”

In that environment, she saw the value of her high school studies. “It really prepares you and molds you in how to carry yourself in a professional manner. You’re a step ahead of other kids.”